Supporting means for drapes



Jan. 13, 1942- c. J. RYBICKY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR DRAPES Filed Deb. 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l K m B Y R J o F 5 M C 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m" A h ci m m L n W m n 1 w m .3 1:11:11 n m M w 0 .r. mw .w mwmmm 1 q a n ni ia m C. J. RYBICKY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR DRAPES Filed Dec. '17, 1940 Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR DRAPES Chester J. Rybicky, Cleveland, Ohio Application December 17, 1940, Serial No. 370,455

11 Claims. =(Cl. 156-27) This invention relates to supporting means for drapes and the like to be positioned in front of a window, door-way or other opening, the supporting means for exemplification being shown supporting drapes in front of a window.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting means of this character capable of being removably engaged with the frame of the window independently of clamping devices or the use of tools and having depending members, whereby the supporting means and drapes may be removed in a ready manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting means of this character having provision for readily adjusting the drapes relative to the adjacent opening.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a window and drapes supported in relation thereto by supporting means embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of parts shown in Fig. 1, including an attachment.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a modification.

Fig. 8 is a modified form of bracket similar to that shown in Fig. 7.

In the drawings, I indicates a window having a top frame member 2 and side frame members 3. 4 indicates as an entirety the supporting means for drapes A. The supporting means 4 comprise a rod 5 supported at its opposite ends on brackets 6 and a plurality of supporting members, each indicated as an entirety at I, to which the brackets are adjustably secured. I have shown two supporting members 1, each adjacent to a side frame member 3, but when desirable, due to the weight of the drapes or width of the window or number ously the drapes A may be connected to the rod 55 by hooks or other suitable devices. Also by preference, the opposite ends of the rod 5 (outer ends of its sections) are formed with openings through which the up-standing pins 6a on the brackets 6 extend to provide a positive, but detachable connection therewith. Each bracket 6 consists of a base 61) and the hook 6a which is suitably mounted thereon, the base being adapted to be adjustably secured to the adjacent supporting member I, as later set forth.

The supporting members 1 are similar in construction so that only one thereof needs to be described, but like parts are identified by the same reference characters. Each supporting member 1 consists of a bar 1a formed from a section of strap metal, such as rolled steel, bent outwardly at its upper end as shown at lb (preferably at right angles), so as to overlap and engage the top wall of the top frame member 2 and support the bar 1a in depending relation thereto. The free end or sides of the overlapping device lb may be shaped to provide pointed elements so as to project into the frame member 2 and thus prevent the device lb from sliding off thereof,

but instead I provide a pin 8, pointed at its lower end and riveted at its upper end in an opening formed in the device 11). As shown, the pin 8 may be driven into the top frame member 2, but by making its pointed end relatively short, it may be readily removed by an upward thrust on the bar la. The bar 1a is of such length that its lower end may be conveniently reached by a person while standing on the floor adjacent to the window I and to facilitate grasping of the bar la, its lower end is suitably shaped, preferably by curling its lower end portion into a loop 10 to form a handle. The sides of the bar la are parallel to each other to form guides for a pair of relatively movable clamping devices 9 which are arranged to slide and rock thereon. Each device 9 consists of a metal plate 9a having intermediate its ends lateral portions or wings 9b which are bent over and around the sides of the bar la, the inturned ends 9b of these portions being spaced from the plate 9a to permit freely slidable movement of the device along the bar 1a and movement of the plate 9a toward and from the bar 1a. The plate 9a is extended at its opposite ends beyond the side edges of the lateral portions 9b, as shown at 90, 90, so that one end (end 90) may overlap and removably engage one end of the adjacent bracket base 61). The opposite end 90' of the plate 90. is formed with a threaded opening 10 for a screw ID. The opening ID is arranged outwardly of the inturned ends 9b of the lateral portions 9b, so that when the screw 10' is rotated to project its inner end toward and into engagement with the bar Ia, the adjacent edges of the inturned ends 91) will pivot or rock on the inner face of the bar Ia; accordingly, by screwing the screw I0 inwardly the engagement of its inner end with the bar Ia will force the adjacent end 90' of the plate 9a away from the bar and its opposite end 90 toward the bar, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the other end 90 will engage and removably secure the adjacent end of the bracket base 617 to the bar Ia. As shown, the clamping ends 9c of the devices 9 engage and removably clamp the opposite ends of the bracket base 6b. As the devices 9 are independently slidable along the bar Ia, they may be related to bracket bases of different lengths. In this arrangement the brackets 6 may be adjustably positioned or re-positioned relative to a window frame or the opening defined thereby without screwing any screws into the frame members or permanently securing any supporting parts thereto; also, by grasping the handles I0 and raising them upwardly, the Supporting members 7, brackets 6 and rod 5, with the drapes A thereon may be removed from the window as a unit and replaced as a unit when desired. The screws It are adapted to be operated by a suitable tool, but may be provided with wings, as shown in Fig. 5, to permit their operation by the fingers of a person.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a supporting means 4 similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but embodying attachments one for each supporting mem her I for removably securing its lower end portion to the adjacent side frame member 3. This arrangement is desirable so as to steady the supporting members 1 and prevent their displacement in the event, by accident or otherwise, some one pulls one of the drapes A. As shown in Fig.

5, the supporting member I depends from the top frame member 2 in front of the side frame member 3. The attachment for each supporting member 7 is carried thereby and constructed to removably engage portions of the adjacent side frame member 3. The form of attachment shown consists of a pair of members each having a main section I I and a laterally bent section I Id at its outer end. The main sections II of the members are arranged side by side or face to face and formed with elongated alined slots IIbto receive a winged screw I2, which threads into a threaded opening formed in the bar la and when tightened, the screw removably secures the sections together and to the bar Ia. The slots IIb permit the sections II to be moved relative to each other and the bar 1a to separate the lateral sections IIa so as to fit over the wall or walls to be engaged thereby and then be moved into engagement therewith and secured together and to the bar 1a by the screw I2. In the form of construction shown the clamping members are shown engaged with the outer sides of the side frame member 3. Th clamping attachments serve to prevent movement of the bars Ia toward or from the window frame or in lateral directions substantially parallel thereto and hence co-operate with the members Ib to prevent movement or displacement of the rod 5, even though the drapes are subjected to some pull by accident or otherwise.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of construction wherein the bar Ia of each supporting member (only one being shown) is off-set outwardly, as

shown at 'Ia, So as to lie in close relation to the side frame member 3. In this arrangement the main section II of the outer clamping member is off-set as shown at Ma (Fig. 7) to accommodate the molding on the side frame member 3.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modified form of construction wherein the bracket engaging and securing devices for each member are of a difierent form. To facilitate the illustration, only a portion of one depending member I is shown, but it will be understood that the member I so shown is similar to the member I already described and that two such members are to be provided and supported in a like manner. As shown, I provide two bracket engaging devices I3 and by preference each is slidable on the bar Ia independently of the other device, whereby the bracket 6 may be adjusted and secured in any desired position. Each device I3 consists of a section of metal having lateral portions folded around the bar so as to provide a sliding relation thereon and its inner end is extended to provide a lug I3a which is inclined outwardly relative to the bar Ia. The lug I3a of each device I3 is arranged to fit over the adjacent end of the bracket base 6b and due to the resiliency of the metal, to efiect a wedging action between the base 6b and lug I3a, whereby the latter rigidly but removably secures the adjacent end of the bracket base to the bar Ia. Accordingly, by moving both devices I3 into engagement with the ends of the bracket base 6b, the bracket will be removably supported by the bar Ia.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments of the invention will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scop thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In supporting means for drapes, the combination of a pair of spaced members arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, brackets carried by said depending members intermediate their ends, and a rod mounted at its opposite ends on said brackets and arranged to support the drapes, the lower end portions of said depending members serving as handles, whereby said members, brackets, rod and drapes may be removed as a unit from the opening.

2. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for removably securing the lower end portion of one of said depending members to the adjacent side frame member of the opening.

3. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for removably securing the lower end portion of each of said depending members to the adjacent side frame member of the opening.

4. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for removably securing the lower end portion of one of said depending members to the adjacent side frame member of the opening, said means consisting of a pair of clamping members one of which is adjustable relative to the other and a device for securing said clamping members to said depending member.

5. In supporting means for drapes, the combination of a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket for said member adapted to support one end of a drape carrying rod, and

a pair of devices on said depending member and provided on their opposed ends with clamping elements arranged to removably engage the upper and lower ends of the base for the bracket, one of said devices being slidable on the depending member, whereby the base is removably secured to the depending member.

6. In supporting means for drapes, the combination of a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket on said member having a base and. adapted to support one end of a drape carrying rod, and a pair of devices independently slidable on said depending member and provided on their opposed ends with clamping elements arranged to removably engage the upper and lower ends of the base for the bracket to removably and adjustably secure the latter to said depending member.

7. In support means for drapes, the combination of a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket on said member having a base and adapted to support one end of a drape carrying rod, and a pair of devices on said depending member and provided on their inner ends with clamping elements arranged to engage the upper and lower ends of the base for the bracket to removably secure the bracket to said depending member, one of said devices having slidable and pivotal engagement with said member and provided at its outer screw for rocking said device on its pivotal point on said depending member to clamp its inner end into engagement with the base of said bracket.

8. A device for supporting drapes, comprising a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket adapted to support one end of a drape supporting rod, and a pair of devices independently slidable on said depending member, the opposed ends of said devices being upwardly inclined and arranged when moved into engagement with the opposite ends of the base for the bracket to removably and adjustably secure the latter to said depending member.

9. A device for supporting drapes, comprising a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket adapted to support one end of a drape supporting rod, a pair of separate clamping elements having slidable and pivotal engagement with said depending member and disposed above and below the base for the bracket and arranged to be moved on said depending member to position their inner or opposed ends over the opposite ends of the bracket base, and a device on the outer end of each of said elements for engagement with said depending member and arranged when operated to move the inner end of the element into engagement with the bracket base to removably secure its adjacent end to said depending member.

I 10. A device for supporting drapes, comprising a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket for supporting one end of a drape supporting rod, a pair of separate clamping elements on said depending member and disposed above and below the base for the bracket for removably securing the latter to said depending member, one of said elements being arranged to removably engage one end of the bracket base and the other element having slidable and pivotal engagement with said depending member and movable thereon to position its inner end over the opposite end of the bracket base, and a device on the outer end of the last mentioned device for engagement with said depending member and arranged when operated to move its inner end into engagement with said opposite end of the bracket base to removably secure it to said depending member.

11. In supporting means for drapes, the combination of a member arranged to removably engage and depend from the top frame member of an opening, a bracket on said member intermediate its ends and adapted to support one end of a drape carrying rod, the lower end portion of said depending member being arranged to serve as a handle, a pair of clamping elements having slidable and pivotal engagement with said member and movable thereon into position to engage and clamp the opposite ends of the base for the bracket, means for moving each element about its pivotal engagement with said depending member to removably clamp the adjacent end of the bracket base to said depending member.

CHESTER J. RYBICKY. 

